Walker re-trial to start in Beaumont

Electrician Calvin Walker's second trial on charges of defrauding the Beaumont Independent School District will start in Beaumont on July 23 after a federal judge's ruling on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Ron Clark ruled that if 60 jurors can't be found within two days of the trial's start, it will be moved to Lufkin and the trial will start on July 30.

Clark's decision comes three weeks after a motion was made by federal prosecutors to move the trial because of "extensive media coverage." Dick Deguerin, Walker's defense attorney, opposed the move. The last trial ended in December with a hung jury. Walker, who is alleged to have over-billed BISD some $4 million, faces 37 counts including mail fraud, wire fraud, wire fraud, interstate transportation of funds by fraud, fraud upon programs receiving federal funds and money laundering.